Nikkei took up Resolute Dragon 21, a joint exercise that the USMC and the GSDF are currently conducting in Japan, saying that the two forces airlifted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from Kadena AB to an MSDF base in Aomori earlier this week. They also reportedly performed a tabletop exercise at a GSDF training area in Miyagi to practice Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. The paper said the drills showcased the rapid deepening of interoperability between the U.S. military and the SDF. The daily said the training was held with China in mind and noted that PLA fighters have repeatedly intruded in the airspace around Taiwan.